Life and business lessons from summiting Mount Kilimanjaro
Freshworks CCMO Mika Yamamoto reflects on a momentous family challenge
Editor’s note: Freshworks Chief Customer and Marketing Officer Mika Yamamoto shared her insights—on business and life—that emerged from her family’s attempt to summit Mount Kilimanjaro. A brief excerpt follows below. Or read the full article at HRTech Edge.
“The climb [up Kilimanjaro in Tanzania], spanning over a week, was challenging for sure. At nearly 6,000 meters, Kilimanjaro tests one’s physical and mental strength like nothing else. For perspective, you must wear an oxygen mask in a non-pressurized plane for more than 30 minutes at just over 3,000 meters—this is the elevation that the hike started, and we were at or above this altitude for almost a week.
Success, I’ve learned, is a collective endeavor. It’s about teamwork, persistence, planning, focusing on quick wins, and celebrating shared success.
“On day six, nearing the summit, exhaustion and doubts crept in.…Yet, amid the adversity, our guides, seasoned experts with unwavering resolve, kept us going and cheered us on. They knew our needs, reminded us of the game plan, forced us to eat and drink, and kept our spirits up.
“My experience summiting Kilimanjaro mirrors many aspects of my approach to work. Success, I’ve learned, is a collective endeavor. It’s about teamwork, persistence, planning, focusing on quick wins, and celebrating shared success.”
Read also: Mika Yamamoto on taking a pay cut to boost your career.
